About the Show
THE CASKET GIRLS is a modern rock dance theatre production. It debuted September 21, 2018 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, presented by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
Based on the lore of the historical "casket girls" who arrived in New Orleans from France in the early 1700's, the production brings their story and mystery to life. Vampires, voodoo, love and loss - THE CASKET GIRLS is unabashedly bold, loud and dramatic... and not your grandmother's ballet.
Creatives
PREMIERE CAST: GREGORY HANCOCK DANCE THEATRE COMPANY
Act 1
1. ARRIVÉE DES INNOCENTS
New Orleans, 1729. The city is teeming with pirates, thieves, and prostitutes, many of whom were released from overpopulated prisons in France. At the time, the King of France had thought this would be a good way to populate the New World, but the plan backfired and only contributed to the rapid, moral decay of the city.
And so, the king came up with another plan, sending the daughters of well-educated, well-bred families to marry and bring civility to the colonists.
The young women arrive in New Orleans carrying their wedding trousseauxs that are oddly shaped liked traditional caskets. One young Casket Girl, named Catherine, wears a red ribbon tied around her neck in protest of the guillotine executions in France.
2. MEET THE LOCALS
As night falls upon the port of New Orleans, Catherine, and her fellow travelers Véronique and Élise take in the new world in which they've arrived. As they wait for the formal envoy from the Ursline convent to retrieve them, they are immediately approached, and assessed by the locals.
Catherine quickly gains the attention of a young man named Jean, as two very different cultures clash for the first time.
3. FR. DE BEAUBOIS & THE NUN PATROL
4. THE CONVENT ELECTRIC
The Casket Girls are housed on one of the upper floors of the Ursuline convent school. Father de Beaubois blesses each of them, and demands that they quickly adhere to the ways of convent life.
He takes their wedding trousseauxs and mysteriously seals them shut with blessed nails, locking them away in the convent attic.
5. TIP TOE GO
6. FLOWERS AND FANGS
7. RENDEZVOUS DEUX
8. FLICKER
9. Betrothed
10. 88,000 BLESSED SCREWS
The Ursuline sisters go to the attic of the convent to retrieve Catherine's trousseau. But, all three casket-shaped boxes, that the Father had sealed with blessed screws are now open.
What they find will change the destiny of Catherine, and New Orleans, forever.
Act 2
1. CATHERINE RETURNS
Nearly a century has passed since the events in the attic of the convent left Catherine husband Jean, dead. Traveling alone in a self-inflicted exile, she returns to the cemetery in New Orleans for the first time to pay her respects to Jean. Little does she know, visitors are watching her every move.
2. THE VOODOO CLAN
Her isolation vanishes when a Voodoo clan, led by the charismatic Mother Ava May, enters the graveyard and begins to dance and worship.
3. CONNECTION
Catherine feels a true sense of belonging with the Voodoo Clan, and imagines a life where she could be included and welcomed. She feels a spiritual connection to Mother, and an emotional one to her beautiful, young apprentice Séraphine.
4. ENTER LUCIEN
Lucien and his posse arrive – not to break up the Voodoo clan ritual, but they show their disrespect for it. Mother Ava May knows Lucien is seeking more power, and is not to be trusted. Yet she is benevolent and welcoming.
5. RETREAT
Catherine senses Lucien has darker motives, and is also a vampire. She quickly changes how she feels about her connection to the clan and to Mother. She must keep moving and retreat to her life of isolation.
6. KINDRED SPIRITS
At the convent, Séraphine has followed her, and implores her to come back with her. Catherine sees a version of herself that she could have been… and vows to do whatever it takes so Séraphine can have the mortal life she wanted.
7. TRANCE DANCE
Catherine decides she will stay and help Mother Ava May protect her flock. They dance, and she goes “further” into the Voodoo world - led into a trance-like state by Mother. During her “state” – she reveals her vampire nature- but Mother is not alarmed. As if she already knew…
8. NEED ME, HEED ME
Lucien returns… and his group interacts with the Voodoo clan. Catherine doesn’t want anything to destroy this idyllic new life. Lucien feigns friendship, he wants them to “perform” and be a part of a large Mardi Gras party at his estate. His plan is to assemble all the influential people of the city, blend these cultures, and appear as a natural future leader.
9. LES IMMORTELS
Lucien pursues Catherine alone – they dance – here he reveals that he knows Catherine is a vampire, because so is he. He want complete dominance over New Orleans, vampires as ruthless leaders of the city. He wants to vanquish any mortals and voodoo queens that stand in his way. Either Catherine can join him at his side – or he will destroy all she loves. She moves away from him in horror – they are now enemies.
10. BETRAYAL
Séraphine sees Catherine and Lucien dancing, although doesn’t understand what’s really happening. She feels betrayed or tricked by Catherine. Lucien plays with this – now dancing with Séraphine, entrancing her - and delivers the vampire bite.
11. MOTHER TO DUST
Mother can sense trouble is afoot, and performs a special circle spiritual ceremony. Lucien crosses the line, and just as Catherine arrives to warn Mother, inflicts a fatal blow.
12. THE LOCALS RIDE AGAIN
Catherine finds Lucien and crew and appears to vow her cooperation. She will lead the voodoo clan at the Mardi Gras party, a trap for all where Lucien (and now she) can unleash their power. She's buying time to prepare another plan.
13. A WAY FORWARD
Catherine feels failure, and this new life that seemed so close, is now far away. But – the spirt of Mother comes to her - encourages her to see it through – make a new plan…
14. WELCOME TO THE BALL
The Mardi Gras party at Lucien’s mansion. Dancing, and intrigue, as Lucien and his crew wait to unleash their vampire violence on all – with Catherine by his side.
15. SPELLBOUND
Using her new found voodoo spirit, Catherine helps weave a dreamy atmosphere where the party goers - and Lucien – lose track of time as they’re all dancing and reveling and having their own trance-like experiences. Catherine lulls Séraphine into a trance as well, and hides her from the rest of the group.
16. THIS ENDS TONIGHT
The trance is removed, Lucien stands with Catherine to address the assembled guests. Catherine holds him close - a performance for the crowd – a kiss, an embrace, but really it’s so she can hold him while she opens the curtains of the huge window behind them… and the rising sun pours through.
17. SACRIFICE
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